Michael Carrick is still around, at least for now. However, Manchester United’s Wednesday night showing was the type of performance that gets a manager sacked. Como manager Cesc Fabregas admitted that he eased up on United for the last 10 minutes, and that he regretted taking his foot off the gas.
It was only during this relaxed period that the Red Devils were able to score. Just think about that for a minute, Como, who only got promoted from Serie B in 2024 and ascended from Serie C just five years ago, were able to “take it easy” on United.
Man United vs Bournemouth FYIs
Kick: Sun. Oct. 25, 3pm, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK
Man United Team News: Part 1 Part 2
Top Candidates to Replace Carrick, if He Gets Sacked: go here
Google Result Probability: AFC Bournemouth win 29% Draw 26% Man United 45%
PL Standing, Form Guide: AFC Bournemouth 15th, 6 pts, DDLLW Man United 13th, 7 pts, DLDDD
Man United Team News
That is how far they have currently fallen, in the Carrick-INEOS era
Carrick met the media only moments ago, so let’s see where the team news stands now, after his press conference, and ahead of the visit from AFC Bournemouth on Sunday. Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are injured yet again, and once again, their injuries are undisclosed/unspecified.
Mainoo will be, like the Wycleaf Jean song title, “Gone till November.” So he’ll miss the next couple games.
Shaw is about a week or so behind him.
“Kobbie, maybe 10 days or so, but that’s not exact,” Carrick said on Tuesday. “Luke (Shaw) is a little bit longer than that.”
Elsewhere Benjamin Sesko is turning out to be just like almost every other big money United striker signing- a massive flop. He’s almost always hurt, and we learned this week that his shin problem is now going to keep him out much longer than expected.
The only other true striker on the roster, other than Sesko is Joshua Zirkzee.
And obviously, Zirkzee is not first choice striker at a big club material, so Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have to play in that role instead.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.